Afghanistan Situation Will Impact India: PM Modi

Saying Taliban blitz in Afghanistan will encourage other extremist forces to gain power through violence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday said the developments in the war torn country will have the greatest impact on neighbouring countries including India.

"The recent developments in Afghanistan will have the greatest impact on neighbouring countries like us. And therefore, there is a need for regional focus and cooperation on this issue,"said Modi in a virtual address at an SCO meeting on Afghanistan.

Modi said there was a need for regional focus and cooperation on the situation in the country.
Modi warned that if "instability and fundamentalism" persist in Afghanistan, it will encourage terrorist and extremist ideologies all over the world.

"Other extremist groups can also be encouraged to gain power through violence," he said, adding the change of power in Afghanistan is not inclusive and has happened without negotiation.

The prime minister also flagged his concerns over the serious humanitarian crisis unfolding in Afghanistan, noting that the economic woes of the Afghan people are increasing due to the blockage in financial and trade flows.

He said the developments in Afghanistan could lead to an "uncontrolled" flow of drugs, illegal weapons and human trafficking.

"A large amount of advanced weapons remain in Afghanistan. Due to these, there will be a risk of instability in the entire region," Modi said. (With PTI inputs)